Motorized foldable beach or recreation cart

ABSTRACT

The present invention pertains to a mobile cart which can be utilized for transporting beach supplies including toys games, sporting goods, umbrellas, blankets, towels and food. Advantageously, the subject invention can be folded into a small suitcase like container and then opened to provide a cart as set forth herein. The cart according to the present invention may also include a self-propulsion system including a motor or motors for driving a tread, track or wheels along with a low friction skid surface or skis for directing the cart to a desired location. There may also be included a power source, for example batteries or solar panels, may be utilized to supply the power needed for self-propulsion and for powering or charging portable electronic devices, if desired.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to carts for transportation ofoutdoor recreation equipment for use in outdoor recreation such as onthe beach, camping or snow sports or other outdoor and cold weathersports such as skating and or ice fishing, and more particularly, to amotorized cart for such uses.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many beach-goers or other engaging in outdoor recreation such as skiingor waterspouts have homes or stay in hotels or beach houses near thebeach or their chosen recreation venue or alternately drive to parkinglots relatively near the beach, and then may have to make many trips tohand carry all of their beach supplies to the beach from their home orcar. These supplies can include for example, chairs, umbrellas, andcoolers. Thus, a beach cart for carrying such items is desirable toreduce the number of trips and to make it easier to transport heavyitems. Such a cart, however, is typically transported in the car to andfrom the parking lot and thus must be of compact size so it can beeasily packed in the car along with all the other items that are beingtransported for the day. In addition, pushing and/or pulling such acart, particularly if heavily laden, can be inconvenient or impossiblefor some people who lack sufficient physical strength especially acrossthe beach sand, snow and other surfaces. To ease the physical burden onthe beach goers, a motorized cart is desirable, for example especiallywhen a family is engaged in snow sports such as skiing andsnow-boarding, many times the younger family members can not carry allof their equipment such as skis, snowboards, helmets, boots and extraclothing from the car parking area or ski lodge to the base of themountain. Therefore, many trips to transport all the equipment will berequired or some members of the group may be overburdened carryingequipment for themselves, plus other members of the group. Many examplesof motorized carts are known, particularly with respect to motorizedgolf carts for carrying golf bags and clubs. But these carts lackfeatures that are focused on the needs of beach cart users, are notalways sufficiently compact for transportation to the beach and may bedifficult to load with all of the beach provisions.

What is needed is a battery powered motorized beach cart that may befolded into a compact configuration for storage and transportation andprovides a plurality of storage compartments, which may include lockablecompartments, and insulated compartments, adapted to carry differentitems, and provides auxiliary features such as a solar panel forcharging the drive motor batteries as well as powering personal devicessuch as personal portable electronic devices and provides a motorizeddrive system that is low weight, sturdy, efficient and adaptable fortraversing sand, asphalt, snow, grass and boardwalk surfaces includingramps and stairs and has a collapsible storage container and acollapsible frame for easy storage and transportation of the cart.Additionally, the cart should be stable, rugged, and adaptable tomultiple transportation situations, including traversing sand, snow andstairs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a motorized beach cart for easilytraversing different surfaces and which may be utilized for carryingbeach provisions, recreation equipment and other outdoor provisions andsupplies, providing storage compartments adapted to carrying particularitems and provides auxiliary features and may be folded into a compactconfiguration for easy storage and transportation.

An object of the present invention is to substantially solve at leastsome of the above problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at leastsome of the advantages below. Accordingly, an object of the presentinvention is to provide a foldable motorized cart, comprising a frontportion, a middle portion having a front end and a rear end and a rearportion, wherein the middle portion, is hingedly attached to the frontportion at the front end and hingedly attached to the rear portion atthe rear end, wherein each of the front portion, and the middle portionhave a low friction bottom floor and at least two side walls and an opentop and wherein the rear portion has a bottom floor, four side walls anda top surface, and is foldable within the sidewalls of the middleportion and the front portion is foldable over the middle portion, acompartment within the rear portion having at least one storage spaceand a systems housing space, a motor drive system, a drive controllerand a battery, wherein the battery and drive controller are electricallyconnected to the motor drive system and the motor drive system ismechanically linked to a drive track for propelling the motorized cart.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a motorized cartwhere the motor drive system is a tubular motor located within the drivetrack.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a motorized cartwhere the motor drive system is located within the system housing space.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a motorized cartwhere the rear portion top surface is hingedly rotatable from a closedto an open position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a motorized cartwhere the drive controller is electrically connected to a control inputdevice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the motorized cart according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 2A-2E are a rear perspective, front perspective, side perspective,side view and top plan view respectively of the motorized cart accordingto the present invention wherein:

FIG. 2A is a rear perspective view of the motorized cart according tothe present invention,

FIG. 2B is a front perspective view of ONLY the rear storage compartmentportion of the motorized cart according to the present invention,

FIG. 2C is aside perspective view of the motorized cart according to thepresent invention,

FIG. 2D is a side view of the motorized cart according to the presentinvention and,

FIG. 2E depicts a top plan view of the motorized cart according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 3A is a side perspective view of the front and middle portion ofthe motorized cart according to the present invention where the storagecompartment is lying horizontal within the middle portion.

FIG. 3B is a side perspective view of the front and middle portion ofthe motorized cart according to the present invention where the storagecompartment is lying horizontal within the middle portion and the frontportion is dis-attached from the middle portion.

FIG. 4A is a side perspective view of the front and middle portion ofthe motorized cart according to the present invention where the storagecompartment is lying horizontal within the middle portion.

FIG. 4B is a side perspective view of the front and middle portion ofthe motorized cart according to the present invention in a partiallyfolded configuration where the storage compartment is lying horizontalwithin the middle portion.

FIG. 4C is a side perspective view of the front and middle portion ofthe motorized cart according to the present invention in a horizontalfolded configuration.

FIG. 4D is a side perspective view of the front and middle portion ofthe motorized cart according to the present invention in a verticalfolded configuration.

FIG. 4E is a side perspective view of the front and middle portion ofthe motorized cart according to the present invention in a verticalfolded configuration displaying both the sides and bottom surfaces.

FIG. 5A is a side perspective view of the motorized cart according tothe present invention.

FIG. 5B is a front perspective views of the rear portion of themotorized cart according to the present invention in an upright positionwith the storage compartment closed.

FIG. 5C is rear perspective views of the rear portion of the motorizedcart according to the present invention with the storage compartmentdoor in an open position, and a top storage compartment in an openconfiguration.

FIG. 5D is a rear perspective view of the rear portion of the motorizedcart according to the present invention with the storage compartmentdoor in an open position, and a top storage compartment in an openconfiguration and showing internal storage trays removed and separatefrom the compartment.

FIG. 5E is a front perspective view of the rear portion of the motorizedcart according to the present invention with the storage compartmentdoor in an open position, and a top storage compartment in a closedconfiguration

FIG. 6A depicts a right side top perspective view of the drive tracksystem of the motorized cart according to the present inventionseparated from the cart.

FIG. 6B depicts a left side top perspective view of the drive tracksystem of the motorized cart according to the present inventionseparated from the cart.

FIG. 6C depicts a side perspective view of the motorized cart accordingto the present invention with the drive track system attached to thecart.

FIG. 6D—depicts a left side bottom perspective view of the drive tracksystem of the motorized cart according to the present inventionseparated from the cart.

FIG. 7A is a rear perspective view of the rear storage compartmentportion and the middle and front portion of the motorized cart accordingto an embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 7B is a rear perspective view of the middle and front portion ofthe motorized cart according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7C is a side perspective view of the middle and front portion ofthe motorized cart according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7D is a rear perspective view of the rear storage compartmentportion of the motorized cart according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings to assist in acomprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention asdefined by the claims and their equivalents. In the followingdescription, well-known functions or constructions are not described indetail since they would obscure the understanding of the subject matterof the present invention in unnecessary detail by a person of ordinaryskill in the art with unnecessary detail of the well-known functions andstructures.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the followingdescription, detailed descriptions of well-known functions orconstructions will be omitted since they would obscure the invention inunnecessary detail. Also, the terms used herein are defined according tothe functions of the present invention. Thus, the terms may varydepending on user's or operator's intentions or practices. Therefore,the terms used herein must be understood based on the descriptions madeherein.

Therefore, the terms used herein should be understood based on thedescriptions made herein in view of the ordinary level of skill in theart. The terms and words used in the following description and claimsare not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used bythe inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of theinvention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in theart that the following description of exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not forthe purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claimsand their equivalents.

Turning now to FIG. 1, there is provided a perspective view of themotorized cart according to the present invention. The motorized cart100 includes a main body 102 which may be comprised, in this embodimentof three body portions. The body portions may include a front portion104, a middle portion 106 and a rear portion 108. As will be furtherexplained herein after, the front, middle and rear portion are hingedlyconnected such that the main body may be closed into a compact form byfolding the front portion, the middle portion and the rear portion intoa suitcase like configuration. In an alternate embodiment, each of thefront, middle and rear portion may be detachably connected using screws,or bolts or other types of fasteners known in the art. Clamps andbuckles and or latches may also be used. The motorized cart 100 furtherincludes a motor for propulsion, (not visible in this view), apropulsion track 110, wheels 112 and a low friction bottom surface 404(not visible in this view), such that the cart may be easily moved oversurfaces such as snow, ice and grass, although uses of the cart are notlimited thereto. In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 7A the lowfriction bottom surface 404 may extend over the entire bottom surface asdepicted in FIGS. 7 and 7A and as may be seen in FIGS. 4C, 4D and 4E,and the propulsion track may be omitted. In such an embodiment thepresent invention may be particularly adapted for use on low frictionsurfaces such as snow and ice, where the user may not need motorizedassistance to move the cart. In such an embodiment the total weight ofthe cart can thus be minimized by omitting the propulsion system ormaking the propulsion system a modular component than can easily beremoved temporarily from the cart and replaced for alternate uses. Inanother alternate embodiment the propulsion track may be omitted andpropulsion wheels 112 be substituted as shown in FIG. 1. In anotheralternate embodiment the propulsion track, roller 212 and wheels 112 maybe omitted entirely. In such an embodiment, the user would primarily beusing the cart on a low friction surface, such as ice or snow and suchthat a mechanical assist is not needed.

Turning now to FIGS. 2A-2E, there are shown various views of themotorized cart according to the present invention. In FIG. 2A there isshown a rear view of the motorized cart depicted in FIG. 1. Shown inthis view is a rear view of the cart 100 in which rear portion 108 isvisible. Additionally, there is shown a storage cabinet cover 202, whichis closed in FIG. 2A, wherein it covers the storage cabinet 204. Thestorage cabinet is located within the articulating portion of the rearportion 108 and is adapted to carry small or fragile items that requirethe additional protection of being transported in a protectedenvironment. In another embodiment, storage cabinet 204 may be aninsulated container for transporting and storing perishable foods anddrinks. In that embodiment, the storage container may be filled with iceup to a level just below the storage cabinet cover 202, or mayalternately have ice placed in the top cabinet 206 to serve as a coolantfor the storage cabinet 204. Top cabinet 206 is covered by a hinged lid208 which may be pivoted between a closed and open position therebyproviding access to top cabinet 206 so that items or ice may be placedtherein. The rear portion 108 storage cabinet may also include aninterior space for holding the different drive and control systems ofthe motorized cart. These may include the drive motor 221, the drivemotor and accessory batteries 223 and 225 and an electrical connector227 for connecting devices to the accessory battery, the control circuitand charging circuit. Typically, these items will be located in thebottom of the storage cabinet so that the weight balance anddistribution is maintained in a manner which balances the cart and makesmovement and maneuverability easy for the user. Additionally, thecompartments may be adapted to segregate certain items. For example alock can be provided on cover 202 and compartment 204 used for valuableitems, while, as described later herein, compartment 206 may be sealedor insulated for holding wet items or for use as a cooler or insulatedcompartment. Of course, one skilled in the art will recognize that theposition, orientation and location of the compartments may be altered tobetter suit a particular use while keeping within the spirit of thepresent invention.

Also shown in FIG. 2A there are also provided handles 210 which a usermay grasp to direct the motorized cart. The handles can be used forsteering the card as they may include a control mechanism, such as arotatable throttle as used on motorcycles where a user can rotate eitherthe right or left handle to increase power of a motor on the respectiveside of the motorized cart 100 to impart increased thrust on one side ofthe cart and thus steer the cart to turn toward in a directioncorresponding to the increased power. The rotatable throttles can alsobe used to increase the power of either the right side or left sidedrive motor and thus steer the cart by imparting greater drive thrust toone side. The throttles can also be rotated in such a way to reverse themotors and move the motorized cart in a backwards direction.Alternately, in another embodiment, the handles 210 may be simple weightbearing supports which may be retained within an aperture 209 in rearportion 108. The handles can then be inserted and removed by the user asrequired to move the cart. For example, the handles can be inserted fora user to lift the rear portion of the cart to move the cart up stairsor over an obstacle.

Also visible in FIGS. 2A and 2C is a roller 212 which may serve as awheel for the rear portion 108 of the motorized cart and may also beengaged with one or more drive motors for imparting forward thrust tomove the motorized cart. As will be apparent to one skilled in the art,drive wheels may be attached to the drive motor by a belt, chain or gearsystem for imparting power from the motor to the drive wheels. Anappropriate linkage and or transmission may be provided for driving morethan one wheel for adjusting the motor power output to the wheels. Aswill also be apparent to one skilled in the art, any combination ofdrive wheels and non-driven wheels may be implemented in the presentinvention along with the roller 212 or drive track 110 As will also beapparent to one skilled in the art, the various wheel combination andfolding configurations allow the present invention to be configured asused as a hand truck such as shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. 1.

The motorized cart 100 may also include a fold out flap 214 which ishingedly connected to the front portion 102 and may fold out towards thefront of the motorized cart 100 to extend the front of the cart 100 toincrease storage and carrying space as well as to prevent debris fromentering the cart 100. This is especially helpful to keep the inside ofcart 100 from accumulating sand or snow or other residue when using thecart on such loose surfaces. The fold out flap may also be attached tothe front portion 102 by a telescoping rod 216. The front flap may bethus extended to lengthen telescoping rod Further, the front portion 102and the middle portion 106 are formed having a bottom wall and sidewalls 218 which form a tray with an open top for storing and carryingitems. Additionally, when folded, as will be shown and described withrespect to FIGS. 4C-4E, the sidewalls form the sides of a carryingcompartment in the form of a suitcase or carrying case. FIG. 2E depictsa top plan view of the motorized cart, showing a generally rectangularshape, although the motorized cart shape is not so limited and may beshaped in various alternate forms in keeping with the present invention.In another embodiment, telescoping rod 216 may form a loop handle whichmay be used to pull the cart from the front. In this embodiment, thetelescoping rod 216 may be extended so that the handle is positioned ata height that is easy to grasp and use to pull the cart along theground. In such an alternate embodiment, the loop handle 217 would beconnected to telescoping rod 216 and extend beyond the front of thecart.

Turning now to FIG. 3A-B, there is shown a side perspective view of themotorized cart 100 in a partially folded configuration where rearportion 108 is folded within middle portion 106. In the view shown inFIG. 3B, the front portion 102 is depicted as detached from the middleportion 106 and may in another step be attached to the middle portion106 to form a closed container. This may be accomplished using variousattaching means such as hooks, snaps, hook and loop fabric, clasps andbuckles. Alternately, where the front portion 102 is hingedly attachedto the middle portion 106, the front portion may be folded over the rearand middle portion to form a closed container or case. As can be furtherseen in FIG. 3A-B, the motorized cart may also include a tow rope 302and handle 304 for assisting in moving and steering the cart 100. Thetow rope and handle may in one embodiment be a simple rope, cable orchain with a handle for gripping by a user where the user may impartadditional power to pull the cart where the motor and drive tread runsat a constant speed, force, thereby only providing an assist to the userbut not being the primary drive source. Alternately tow rope 302 andhandle 304 may provide a motor control device such as a handle with pushbuttons or switches for controlling motor drive speed and power output,either through a direct analog circuit or through a digital controlcircuit as would be used by one skilled in the art of motor controls.

The handle in such an embodiment may include electronic controls as welland be connected to the motorized cart using a wire for an electricalconnection. In another alternate embodiment, the handle may include acommunications circuit such as a Blue tooth, IR or RF device forcommunicating through a Blue tooth, IR or RF communications circuit onthe motorized cart and interfacing with a motor controller circuit. Inthis way a user can carry a remote control that wirelessly links to themotorized cart for controlling the movement and other features of themotorized cart as will be further explained herein.

Turning now to FIG. 4A-E, there is shown a perspective view of themotorized cart 100 according to the present invention. In FIG. 4A thecart is shown with only the rear portion 108 fully folded into themiddle portion 106, and the middle portion 106 and the front portion 102being in a horizontal co-planar flat orientation. In FIG. 4B, themotorized cart is shown with the front portion 102 partially folded withrespect to the middle 106 and the rear portions 108. In FIG. 4C, themotorized cart is shown in a completely folded configuration wherein thefront portion 102 has been folded over the middle and rear portions andforms an enclosed case. When folded in this manner the rear portion isfolded within the side walls of the middle portion and then the frontportion may be folded over the rear portion which has already beenfolded within the middle portion, and bottom surface 404 is visible andin a horizontal orientation, but positioned at the top of the foldedcart due to the folded configuration. In this configuration, themotorized cart can be easily stored or transported. In the view of FIG.4D, the motorized cart has been up-righted to a vertical position fromthe horizontal position shown in FIG. 4C, with the bottom surface 404 offront portion 102 visible. In the view of FIG. 4E the verticallystanding motorized cart 100 has been turned around such that now thebottom of rear portion 108 is visible. In this view, the drive orpropulsion track 110 is visible on the bottom of rear portion 108. Thedrive track 110 is located on the bottom surface 404 of rear portion,such that it is in contact with the ground when the motorized cart is inthe open horizontal position. In that position, when the track 110 ismoved by the electric motors, the motorized cart can be pushed alongsurface of the ground but the force exerted by the track upon the groundsurface.

Also visible in FIGS. 4A-4E are drive motors 402. In one embodiment, thedrive motors 402 may be tubular motors, such as those typically used topower conveyor belt systems. The tubular motors may be installed andrigidly mounted under the motorized cart in such a way to provide powerto the track as will be known by one skilled in the art. The drive track110 may be one such as used on a snow mobile for example with a profileadapted to be used on both loose surfaces such as sand or more firmsurfaces such as grass fields, concrete or asphalt. In addition, it isnot necessary in accordance with the present invention to use tubularmotors, but instead a motor or motors attached to a drive shaft andsprocket system such as those used in snowmobiles may be used to powerthe track 110. In another alternate embodiment, a motor or motors may beattached to a drive axle to power a wheel or wheels, such as wheels 112may be utilized to eliminate the need for a drive track.

Turning now to FIG. 5A-5E, there is shown a perspective view of themotorized cart 100 with a detailed view of rear portion 108 showingexemplary compartments which may be included in various embodiments ofthe present invention. FIG. 5A shows rear portion 108, having a top lid208, which may be hinged as shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 5B, a topcompartment 206, a front door 502 for closing a compartment 504. FIG. 5Bshows the rear portion with the top lid 208 and front door 502 in aclosed position. Also, the rear door 202, not seen in this view, isclosed. Turning to FIG. 5C, there is shown the rear portion with the toplid 208 and front door 502 in an open position. Also, the rear door 202is open and can be seen extending horizontally from the back of the rearportion 108. Likewise FIG. 5C shows the rear portion with the top lid208 and front door 502 in an open position. Also, the rear door 202 isopen and can be seen extending horizontally from the back of the rearportion 108. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5D, there is shown anembodiment where top compartment is open and includes containers 508 forholding items which may include for example drink cans or bottles. Inone embodiment, the containers 508 may be insulated container forkeeping items cold or hot. In the case of cold items, compartment 506may be partially filled with ice and containers 508 rested within theice. Alternately, the compartment 504 may be filled with cold packs forkeeping compartments 204, 504 and 506 cold and thus the items therein.Alternately, the insulated containers may hold thermos type containersfor keeping the contents hot. The insulated containers 508 may beremovable as shown in FIG. 5D. The top lid 208 may also incorporatesolar panels 210 covering the top surface for recharging the drive motorbatteries, or for providing power to charge portable electronic devices.The solar panels may be electrically connected to the drive motorbatteries through a charging circuit in a manner as will be understoodby one skilled in the art. Additionally, the solar panels may beconnected to separate accessory batteries through a charging circuit forcharging the accessory batteries. There may also be electricalconnectors for connecting portable electronic devices to the accessorybatteries, such that a user can charge a portable electronic deviceusing the accessory batteries, while the solar panel can re-charge theone or more accessory batteries thereby extending the useful life of theaccessory battery.

Turning to FIG. 5E, there is shown the rear portion 108 from FIGS. 5A-5Dfrom the reverse perspective where in the rear door 202 is visible andin an open position to reveal inner compartment 204. This rearcompartment may be used for holding drive components of the motorizedcart for example batteries, an electronics control panel for connectingto control device such as a remote control or throttles. Additionally,there may be provided a charging circuit so that a user may be able torecharge both the drive motor batteries and the accessory batteries byconnecting the charging circuit to a standard household current outlet.

Turning now to FIGS. 6A and 6B, there is shown a perspective view of thedrive track system of the motorized cart according to the presentinvention. As described above, the drive or propulsion track 110 istypically attached to the bottom of rear portion 108. The drive track110 is located on the bottom of rear portion, such that it is in contactwith the ground when the motorized cart is in the open horizontalposition. In that position, when the track 110 is moved by the electricmotors, the motorized cart can be pushed along surface of the ground butthe force exerted by the track upon the ground surface. To aid in theconstruction, use and maintenance of the motorized cart according thethe present invention, the drive track system may be a self containedand modular component such that it can be removed from the motorizedcart for maintenance and repair. As shown in FIG. 6A, the track 110 mayinclude a drive track 602 which is motorized as described herein and mayinclude a non drive track 604, which does not have any motor drive, butinstead moves freely on rotating wheels or track idler wheels whichallow the track to move freely across the ground, while stillmaintaining uniform and consistent directional stability. The drivetrack system may be rigidly attached to the bottom of the cart in amanner as would be understood by one skilled in the art.

Also visible in FIGS. 6A and 6B are drive motors 402. In one embodiment,the drive motors 402 may be tubular motors, such as those typically usedto power conveyor belt systems. The tubular motors may be installed andrigidly mounted under the motorized cart in such a way to provide powerto the track as will be known by one skilled in the art. The drive track110 may be one such as used on a snow mobile for example with a profileadapted to be used on both loose surfaces such as sand or more firmsurfaces such as grass fields, concrete or asphalt. In addition, the itis not necessary in accordance with the present invention to use tubularmotors, but instead a motor or motors attached to a drive shaft andsprocket system such as those used in snowmobiles may be used to powerthe track 110. In another alternate embodiment, a motor or motors may beattached to a drive axle to power a wheel or wheels, such as wheels 112may be utilized to eliminate the need for a drive track.

Turning now to FIG. 7A-7D, there is shown an alternate embodiment of thepresent invention having features and components adapted to alternateuses such as skiing or snow-boarding. In such an embodiment there may beincluded racks 702 or attachment clamps 7704 or holders 706 for carryingskis and or snowboards as are well known in the art. While the presentinvention as depicted in FIGS. 7A-7D has a particular number of racks702, clamps 704 or holders 706, one skilled in the art will recognizethat any number racks 702, clamps 704 or holders 706 is possible withinthe spirit of the invention, Additionally, compartment 204 may beadapted to carry items such as gloves, hats or boots and may include aheating device to warm the items for use. Such a heating device mayinclude an electric incandescent or hot air device, which may be runfrom the provided electric battery or solar energy power.

In another alternate embodiment, the present invention may be adapted toother cold weather uses and activities such as ice-fishing and thus mayinclude compartments particularly adapted to carrying fishing tackle andracks 702, clamps 704 or holders 706 may be adapted for carrying fishingpoles and equipment and compartments, such as storage cabinet 204 or 506or 504, having containers 508 may be particularly adapted to carryingbait, fish or other ice fishing equipment as is known to one skilled inthe art.

As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, the motor drive systemand drive track can be connected to a controller circuit for controllingthe motor drive output. In other works, the drive track can becontrolled to move the motorized cart in a forward or backward directionand be turned by adjusting the power output of the motors in accordancewith inputs from the user through a control device. The control devicemay include buttons, joysticks or other control input devices known inthe art for controlling the motor drive system and therefore controllingthe movements of the motorized cart.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference tocertain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined by the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention isdefined not by the detailed description of the invention but by theappended claims and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of thepresent invention should not be limited to the above-describedembodiments but should be determined by not only the appended claims butalso the equivalents thereof, and all differences within the scope willbe construed as being included in the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A foldable motorized cart, comprising: a frontportion; a middle portion each of said front portion and said middleportion having a front end and a rear end; and a rear portion, whereinsaid middle portion is hingedly attached to said front portion at saidfront end and hingedly attached to said rear portion at said rear end;wherein each of said front portion and said middle portion have a bottomfloor and a left and a right side wall and a front and a rear wall, eachof said left, right, front and rear walls oriented orthogonally fromsaid bottom floor with an open top; and wherein said rear portion has abottom floor, four side walls and a top surface, and is foldable withinthe sidewalls of the middle portion; and the rear and middle portionsare folded within the front portion to stand in a vertical orientation;and said front portion is foldable over said middle portion; acompartment within the rear portion having at least one storage spaceand a systems housing space, a motor drive system, a drive controllerand a battery, wherein the battery and drive controller are electricallyconnected to the motor drive system and the motor drive system ismechanically linked to a drive track mechanism for propelling themotorized cart; and wherein the motor drive system is located within oneof either the systems housing space or within the drive track mechanism.2. A foldable motorized cart as in claim 1, wherein the drive controlleris electrically connected to a control input device.
 3. A foldablemotorized cart as in claim 2, wherein the control input device is aremote control device.
 4. A foldable motorized cart as in claim 1,further having a set of wheels rotatably attached to the bottom floor ofthe front portion.
 5. A foldable motorized cart as in claim 1, furtherhaving a set of drive wheels rotatably attached to the bottom floor ofthe middle, rear and front portions.
 6. A foldable motorized cart as inclaim 1, further having a low friction surface attached to the bottomfloor of the front portion, the middle portion and the rear portion. 7.A foldable motorized cart, comprising: a front portion; a middle portioneach of said front portion and said middle portion having a front endand a rear end; and a rear portion, wherein said middle portion ishingedly attached to the said front portion at said front end andhingedly attached to said rear portion at said rear end; wherein each ofsaid front portion and said middle portion have a bottom floor and aleft and a right side wall and a front and a rear wall, each of saidleft, right, front and rear walls are oriented orthogonally from saidbottom floor with an open top; and wherein said rear portion has abottom floor, four side walls and a top surface, and is foldable withinthe sidewalls of the middle portion; and the rear and middle portionsare folded within the front portion to stand in a vertical orientation;and said front portion is foldable over said middle portion; acompartment within the rear portion having at least one storage spaceand a systems housing space, a motor drive system, a drive controllerand a battery, wherein the battery and drive controller are electricallyconnected to the motor drive system and wherein the motor drive systemis mechanically linked to a drive track mechanism for propelling themotorized cart; and wherein the motor drive system is located within oneof either the systems housing space or within the drive track mechanismas a tubular motor and wherein the rear portion top surface is hingedlyrotatable from a closed to an open position.
 8. A foldable motorizedcart, comprising a front portion; a middle portion each of said frontportion and said middle portion having a front end and a rear end; and arear portion, wherein said middle portion is hingedly attached to thesaid front portion at said front end and hingedly attached to said rearportion at said rear end; wherein each of said front portion and saidmiddle portion have a bottom floor and a left and a right side wall anda front and a rear wall, each of said left, right, front and rear wallsare oriented orthogonally from said bottom floor with an open top; andwherein said rear portion has a bottom floor, four side walls and a topsurface, and is foldable within the sidewalls of the middle portion; andthe rear and middle portions are folded within the front portion tostand in a vertical orientation; and said front portion is foldable oversaid middle portion; a compartment within the rear portion having atleast one storage space and a systems housing space, a motor drivesystem, a drive controller and a battery, wherein the battery and drivecontroller are electrically connected to the motor drive system and themotor drive system is mechanically linked to a drive track mechanism forpropelling the motorized cart; and wherein the motor drive system islocated within one of either the systems housing space or within thedrive track mechanism; and further having an accessory battery, anelectrical connector for connecting electronic devices to said accessorybattery, a charging circuit and a solar panel for charging saidaccessory battery.
 9. A foldable motorized cart, comprising: a frontportion, and a middle portion each of said front portion and said middleportion having a front end and a rear end and further including a rearportion, wherein said middle portion, is hingedly attached to said frontportion at said front end and hingedly attached to said rear portion atsaid rear end, wherein each of said front portion, and said middleportion have a bottom floor and at least two side walls and an open topand wherein said rear portion has a bottom floor, four side walls and atop surface, and is pivotable into parallel alignment with said middleportion and said middle portion is configured to receive within saidmiddle portion side walls said rear portion and wherein said frontportion is configured to pivot into parallel alignment with said middleportion and further is configured to receive within said front portionside walls both of said middle and rear portion; a compartment with therear portion having a motor drive system, a drive controller and abattery, wherein the battery and drive controller are electricallyconnected to the motor drive system and the motor drive system ismechanically linked to at least one drive wheel or a drive trackmechanism for propelling the motorized cart.
 10. A foldable motorizedcart according to claim 9 wherein the motor drive system is locatedwithin either one of said rear portion or said drive track mechanism.